The European debt crisis that sent the global stock markets on a roller coaster ride lately is now threatening to engulf many more European countries in addition to Greece. For the past two years, Greece taken extremely severe austerity measures to reduce its debt although though their implementation has left a lot to be desired. Italy and Spain are considered by many analysts to be next in line.

However, the Italian Ministry of Defense has recently ordered 19 range-topping Maserati Quattroporte limousines for government officials. It comes to no surprise that the move has caused an outrage in Italy as the ministry is supposed to cut its budget by €2.5 billion over the next three years. “At a time when millions of Italians are being affected by a very serious economic crisis, is there a good reason for the defense minister to add 19 armored Maseratis to the ministry’s car park?” questioned opposition MP Emanuele Fiano in the parliament. The defense minister, Ingazio La Russa, accused the opposition of conducting a “witch hunt” since he says that the vehicles were paid for with funds from the 2008-2009 budget, before Silvio Berlusconi's government introduced the cuts. “What’s the problem? Maseratis are Italian and they cost less than their German equivalents", he added.

Well, both sides have their valid points in their respective argument. However, at this point in time, the Italian government should be watchful in their spending in order not to incur the wrath of the general public.

I have been a car fanatic since 1989, when my father was changing our family car then to a Toyota Corolla 1.6 GL fitted with a Twin Cam 16 valve engine that was carburetor-fed, a big deal back in those days. The automobile technology and industry fascinates me and I hope to broadcast these interesting developments to everyone out there through this blog.